MacDonald proud to ‘get the boot’
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Markey
ADAM MacDONALD, of Presque Isle, is determined to make a difference in the fight to find a cure for various forms of muscular dystrophy. He volunteers countless hours at various fundraisers throughout the year, including the MDA Fill the Boot campaign. He travels to Bangor frequently where he is joined by Bangor firefighters prior to Waterfront concerts in collecting donations in firefighter boots at the entrance to the venue.
Pictured in front from left are: Pamela Small, Lacie Willett (formerly of Presque Isle) and Willett’s fiance, Bangor firefighter Ryan Blanchette. Second row: firefighter Cory Wyman, MacDonald and firefighter Ben Money. In back: Firefighters Jeff Sennett, Lt. Chuck Rodway, Dale Wunder and David Rudolph.
By Kathy McCarty
When it comes to fundraising, Adam MacDonald, a Presque Isle man who has a form of muscular dystrophy called Duchenne’s, looks forward to ‘getting the boot’ when he attends various Waterfront concerts in Bangor each summer.
But unlike rowdy concert-goers who are escorted from the venue, MacDonald is welcomed by all who come into contact with him, including several Bangor-area firefighters, as he collects funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Fill the Boot campaign. Using a firefighter’s boot, MacDonald and the firefighters greet people at the entrance of the concert site, collecting thousands to date for their efforts.
“On June 22, Adam went down to Bangor for his cardiac appointment at Eastern Maine Medical Center, then he volunteered that evening with the firefighters before attending The Beach Boys’ concert. This concert brought in $1,000 collected in the boots,” said Cheryl Markey, MacDonald’s mother, who makes the trips with her son.
As of late July, Markey said outside the Waterfront gates over $3,400 had been raised for MDA.
To date, events MacDonald has attended and collected funds at with his firefighter friends include: Gary Allan, The Beach Boys, Rascal Flatts and the Styx/REO Speedwagon/Ted Nugent show.
“He will be outside the gates at the Jason Aldean concert on Sept. 2. We’re not sure yet which entrance he will be holding the boot at, but we’d like to ask all Aroostook County concert-goers to stop by and say ‘hi’ and drop some loot in his boot,” said Markey.
MacDonald takes pride in what he does and enjoys volunteering because it helps others.
“I enjoy volunteering with the Bangor firefighters and enjoy the concert-goers who stop and say ‘hi’ and talk. I thank each person individually who makes a donation,” said MacDonald.
Markey uses a Facebook page to post when her son will be outside the gates and then afterwards posts thank-you’s to the concert-goers for helping fill the boots.
The global Fill the Boot campaign raises thousands of dollars each year.
“A big Fill the Boot Day for the Bangor firefighters is when they stand out in the intersection on the Hogan Road near the mall entrance on Black Friday asking motorists to help fill their boots. Adam would like to try and be there this year to volunteer alongside them,” said Markey, noting her son would like to see other fire departments here in Aroostook jump onboard with the MDA campaign.
“It’s a fun way to support the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. They can contact the Maine MDA office at 800-339-3749 or Adam or me,” said Markey, who can be reached via e-mail at cmarkey1961@yahoo.com.
